A Ration Card is a document issued under an order
or authority of the State Government, as per the Public Distribution System, for
the purchase of essential commodities from fair price shops. State Governments
issue distinctive Ration Cards to Above Poverty Line, Below Poverty Line and
Antyodaya families and conduct periodical review and checking of Ration Cards.

A Ration Card is a very useful document for Indian
citizens. It helps save money by aiding in the procurement of essential
commodities at a subsidised rate. It has also become an important tool of
identification now-a-days. You may need to produce a copy of your Ration Card as
proof of identification when applying for other documents like Domicile
Certificate, for inclusion of your name in the Electoral Rolls, etc.

In addition to permanent Ration Cards, States also
issue temporary Ration Cards, which are valid for a specified number of months,
and are issued for relief purposes.

Concerned Authority

Assistant Commissioner of Civil
Supplies in the city of Chennai.

Taluk Supply Officers in other
Districts.

Procedure

The application for the issue of
a new family card has to made in the prescribed application form from the
card-issuing authority, namely the Assistant Commissioner of Civil Supplies in
Chennai City area and from the Taluk Supply Officers in all other districts. It
has to be submitted along with a passport-sized photograph of the head of the
family.

Time Taken

The time prescribed for the issue of a new
family card is 12 months after due Door Verification process.

Department Concerned

Taluk Offices are
the concerned offices for issue of ration card. Taluk offices
come under the Revenue Administration Department.